Topic: bicycles

The Second Avenue bike lane was designed to improve safety and make bicyclists feel comfortable riding downtown. (Alan Berner / The Seattle Times)

While the improvements to the bike path along Second Avenue are a step in the right direction, urban riding will never become mainstream as long as we harbor the misguided notion that flimsy barricades and a stripe of paint will provide proper protection from motor vehicles [“Revised 2nd Avenue bike lane signals change for drivers, riders,” Local News, Sept. 7].

Instead of Chicago, we should be looking to European cities, including Amsterdam and Munich, for examples of how it should be done.

Bicyclists in Amsterdam must obey signals similar to those on the upgraded Second Avenue path, but,

Kudos to Franz Knight, executive director of Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority, for holding firm on not allowing a Pronto bike station on the premises in his care [“Bike-sharing network a no-go at Pike Place Market,” Local News, Aug. 8]. It is refreshing to see that, for once, someone has the…

I simply do not understand why some people (mainly cyclists) are pushing for a bicycle track along Westlake Avenue North [“Good movement on stalled Westlake bike lane,” Opinion, June 14]. There are excellent, dedicated bike lanes, recently installed, along Dexter Ave North, which is just two blocks west of Westlake, and this route almost…

Pedestrians, cyclists and cars currently use the same space in the city-owned parking lot along Westlake Avenue North. (SDOT)

Time will tell what the Westlake community looks like in 100 years [“Good movement on stalled Westlake bike lane,” Opinion, June 14]. One thing we do know, however, is that for more than a century, Westlake has been a thriving working waterfront. This unique mix of homeowners, businesses, boaters and tourists generates millions of dollars in state, county and city taxes and is one of the few deep freshwater ports in the United States. Maritime is at the heart of Seattle’s success, and protecting this community requires thoughtful planning, prioritization and commitment.

Get with the program It is about time that our city officials got their heads out of the sand. I am referring to the fact that they want people to get out of their cars and use bicycles or public transportation. More specifically, about making developers put in so few parking spaces for their new apartment buildings…

Bike lanes make everything worse Since the installation of bike lanes, bus islands and lanes devoted to buses, traffic congestion has increased exponentially. We don’t need a study to prove this. Drive around Seattle, talk to drivers, look! There is no bike culture. The number of bike riders is minuscule, but the increase in carbon emissions is…

Added buffer could have helped The Seattle Times has recently posted several letters concerning bike safety on city streets and to add to those voices I would point out a lack of foresight by Seattle’s Department of Transportation with regard to that issue. [“Northwest Voices: Bicycle safety in Seattle,” Opinion, Aug. 11.] Rider safety on north-south…

Citizens should oppose new measures I strongly recommend that all Seattle citizens find the time to read the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) June 2013 revision of the Master Bike Plan (available at all city libraries). The city has already reconfigured a number of major streets to accommodate cyclists. This results in loss of traffic lanes…

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